Middle management to go in SQA overhaul

The board of the Scottish Qualifications Agency has accepted plans for a shake-up that will streamline middle management.

Interim chief executive Bill Morton has won support for his proposals to reorganise the agency into three divisions, covering the development of qualifications, the assessment and award of qualifications, and organisational support.

Mr Morton was appointed after chief executive Ron Tuck resigned in the wake of this year's examinations fiasco, which left thousands of candidates with inaccurate, incomplete or missing results.

He said he had been impressed by the quality and commitment of the SQA's staff, who would ensure that next year's results will be delivered safely. "There is, however, some rigidity in the structure, and we need more flexible ways of working to respond to changes in our business as they happen," he said.